Transgender

Forum











Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity

There seems to be a tremendous amount of confusion surrounding the dimensions of sexual orientation (gay, straight or bi-sexual) and gender identity (transsexual, transvestite, cross-dresser, drag queen). In doing trainings of professionals and talking with lay audiences I explain that these aspects of human beings are completely independent of one another. Just as non-transgenders can be gay, straight or bi-sexual, so to can transgendered folks.

The question that persists in many people's minds, even TGs, is whether transgenders are gay or straight when they are crossing (living, dressing, etc.) as compared to their orientation when living in their societally-assigned gender role. Have I lost you yet?

The confusion is due to our language as well as the poorly understood concept of the immutability of one's sexual object choice even as the expression of gender identity changes. I suggest people forget the terms gay, straight and bi- for the moment because they are purely relative to the person's gender. If an individual is in transition it is difficult to get a handle on this concept. Instead, let's focus on the gender of the trans-person's desired object - male, female or both.

At this point, we need to address the varieties of transgender expressions. Transvestites (also referred to as crossdressers), are almost always males who are attracted to females, although some may also find men attractive. When they crossdress they maintain their attraction to the gender they enjoy when not dressed.

Transsexuals may be men or women who may be attracted to either men, women or both. As the transition from their societally-assigned gender to the role they are more comfortable in, their sex object usually remains as it was pre-transition. The exception to this pattern occurs in the case of homophobic individuals. Transition may release these people to experience a relationship with the gender they truly are attracted to, and ironically, to maintain a heterosexual life style. Now, I'm sure I've lost you!

Now let's see if we can tackle the language that identifies sexual orientation. A male-to-female individual who lived a heterosexual life before transition will most likely continue to find women sexually attractive. However, her sexual orientation will appear to have shifted from straight to gay, though she remains attracted to women throughout. A female-to-male who was attracted to women and identified as a lesbian, will usually maintain this attraction, but will re-identify as straight. Trans-people who were attracted to both sexes have the easiest time of all, linguistically-speaking, for they remain bi-sexual.

Of course, transitioning is a complex process which throws many aspects of one's life out of kilter and requires a re-balancing of many systems. Certainly, sexual orientation is not immune. Next month's article will deal with the impact of this process on sexual orientation.

Dr. Anderson is located at 1537 Franklin St, Suite 104, San Francisco, CA 94109, 415-776-0139.

TGF's Home Page